Machine tool



March 4, 1941.

Original Filed April 50, 1934 c. R. ALDEN 2,233,571

MACHINE TOOL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ENVEINTOQ/ Car/"0 QC4/den 34/, -4; a? 44.4

March 4,' 1941. c, R ALDEN 2,233,571

MACHINE TOOL Original April 30, 5 2

' Carro/AQ W/oen fad 3 a: PW 'v (Awowsys March 4, 1941. c, ALDEN 2,233,571

MACHINE TOOL Original Filed April 30, 1934 3 sheets sheet I mn/ Carrofl QC4/aen Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED s'm'rrzs moms 'roor.

Carroll R. Alden, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Ex-Cell-O Corporation, Detroit, Micln, a corporation of Michigan Original application April 30, 1934, Serial No.

1938, Serial N0. 218,898

11 Claims.

The present application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 723,135, filed April 30, 1934 (Patent No. 2,158,060), and has particular reference to a machine tool with novel means for controlling the drive or the machine tool spindle or spindles.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a machine tool having a motor driven spindle and a movable support, and having novel brake and switch actuators for controlling the stopping and starting of the spindle in response to the predetermined movements of the support.

Another object resides in connecting the switch and brake actuators in parallel for simultaneous operation, and providing means for retarding the operation of the brake actuator when applying the brake.

A further object is to provide a new and improved machine tool having alternately operable spindles and a reciprocatory carriage, and having novel hydraulically operable brake and switch actuators for controlling the drive of the spindles, said actuators being controlled by the carriage to release the brake and energize the motor for one spindle and to apply the brake and deenergize the motor for the other spindle upon movement of the carriage in one direction and to apply the brake and deenergize the motor for said one spindle and to release the brake and energize the motor for said other spindle upon movement of the carriage in the reverse direction,

Another object is to provide a novel machine tool having a spindle and a movable carriage, a hydraulic operating mechanism including a reversible direction control valve for driving the carriage, and a spindle drive including a control reversibly operable simultaneously with the reversal of said valve for alternately starting and stopping the spindle upon movement of the carriage respectively in opposite directions into predetermined positions of reversal.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings,

- Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a machine embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of one form of the hydraulic operating mechanism with the parts adjusted for a slow feed traverse of the carriage to the right.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the invention, for purposes of illustration, is disclosed as embodied in a'machine tool (see Figs.

Divided and this application July 13,

1 and 2) comprising an elongated hollow base I on the top of which a carriage 2 is mounted for longitudinal reciprocation, and which is formed on the opposite sides of one end with auxiliary guideways 3 parallel to the direction of movement 'spindles 6. In-the present instance, the braking mechanism comprises a brake drum 8 fixed on the motor shaft 9 (see Fig. 3), and a brake band l extending partially about the drum. The free ends of the band ID are connected by a cross bar II fixed on one end of an actuating rod [2. A pressure fluid responsive piston l3 slidable in a cylinder I4 is directly attached to the rod i2, and upon reciprocation in opposite direction acts to apply and release the band It.

Any suitable circuits may be provided for energizing the motor]. In-the present instance, the motor 1 is of the alternating current type, and is adapted to be connected to electric supply lines Li, Lo and La by a magnetic switch l5 having an actuating coil it. A control switch I1 is adapted to close a circuit through the coil i6 as follows: from the main line L1, through a line i8, a fixed contact IS, a movable contact 20, a fixed contact 2|, a line 22, the coil l6, and a line 23 to the main line L2. The movable contact is operable through a reciprocatory rod 24 connected to a pressure fluid responsive piston' 25 slidable in a cylinder 26.

It will be understood that a similar spindle head structure may be provided at the other end of the base I to constitute the machine tool one of the double end type similar to that disclosed iii in my Patent No. 2,000,553. Fig. 3 illustrates a motor control circuit and a braking mechanism for such duplicate structure, and the corresponding parts thereof are identified bythe same reference numerals distinguished by the exponent a." Preferably, the movable contacts 20 and 20 are connected for joint actuation so that upon movement of the piston 25 in one direction, the contact 20 will bridge the contacts I9 and 2| to institute the operation of the motor I, and

upon movement of the piston in the reverse di- 1 rection, the contact ill will bridge the contacts ,2 2,283,671 19 and 2 I to institute operation of the motor 1'.

The brake pistons i3 and I3 and the switch piston 26 are operated in conjunction with a hydraulic transmission mechanism for traversing the carriage 2. This mechanism may be provided in various forms within the broad aspects of the present invention, and in the form shown comprises a hydraulic motor having a cylinder 21 mounted in fixed position within the base and a piston 21 reciprocable in the cylinder and connected through a piston rod 28 to the carriage 2. Opening from the cylinder 21 respectively at opposite sides of the piston 21' are two fluid supply and discharge conduits 29 and 39 leading to a direction valve 3|.

The direction valve 3| may be of any desired construction, and preferably comprises an elongated cylinder bore 32 closed at opposite ends. A valve piston 33 of the spool type, comprising axially spaced heads 34 and 35 separated by an annular space 36, is mounted for reciprocation in'the bore 32. Opening to the bore 32 intermediate its ends are two longitudinally spaced pressure ports 31 and 38, and, between the latter, two longitudinally spaced exhaust ports 39 and 49. These ports are so arranged that when the piston 33 is in one end position, the ports 31 and 49 will be closed by the heads 34 and'35, and the ports 39 and 38 will be open respectively to the space 36 and one end of the bore 32, and when the piston occupies the opposite end position, the ports 31 and 49 will be open respectively to the other end of the bore 32 and the space 36, and the ports 38 and 39 will be closed. The ports 31 and 39 are connected in parallel to the conduit 29, and the ports 38 and 49 are similarly connected to the conduit 39. Fluid supply and discharge ports 4| and 42 open respectively to opposite ends of thebore 32, and are connected to conduits 43 and 44. An exhaust port 45, connected to a conduit 46, opens to the bore 32 between the ports 39 and 49, and is always in communication with the space 36.

The conduits 43 and 44 are adapted to be connected respectively and reversibly by an automatic reset pilot direction control to a suitable source of pressure fluid, such as a constant flow pump 41 having a pressure relief overflow 48, and a drain, such as a sump 49, to control the position of the valve piston 33, and thereby the direction of operation of the motor piston 21. It will be evident that when the port 42 is connected to the pump 41 and the port 4| is connected to the sump 49, the valve piston 33 will be moved into its left hand position. Thereupon, fluid will be supplied to the conduit 39 and exhausted from the conduit 29 to effect movement of the piston 21 and hence the carriage 2 to the right (see Fig. 3). Upon connecting the port 4| to the pump 41 and the port 42 to, the sump 49, the movement of the carriage 2 will be reversed.

The automatic reset pilot direction control is responsive to the movement of the carriage 2, and comprises two valves 59 and for efiecting reversal of the carriage respectively to the left and right. These valves respectively comprise chambers or cylinder bores 52 and 53 which may be formed in any suitable casings, and which in the present instance open vertically through a plate or apron 54 securedto the front of the base I. Each of the cylinder bores 52 and 53 is closed at its lower end, and has a bushing 55 secured in its upper end. A stop pin 56 projects upwardly from the lower end.

Respectively disposed in the cylinder bores 62 and 63 for reciprocation between the stops 66 and the bushings 66 are two valve pistons 61 and 68 of the spool type provided respectively with actuating plungers 69 and 69 extending through the bushings for external engagement. The piston 61- is formed in its periphery with longitudinally spaced ann'ular grooves 6| and 62 in communication with an axial passage 63. Similarly, the piston 68 has two longitudinally spaced peripheral grooves 64 and 66 opening to an axial passage 66.

A branched conduit 61 opens constantly to the bores 62 and 63 above the pistons 61 and 68, and is adapted to supply, subject to control by a stop valve 68. motive fluid under full pressure from the pump 41. ,The conduits 43 and 44 from the direction valve 3| open respectively'to the cylinder bores 62"and 63 for selective connection with the pressure conduit 61 when the related pistons 51 and 58 are lowered against the stops 56, and with the grooves 62 and 65 when the "pistons are raised against the bushings 65. Cross conduits 69 and 19 respectively branch from the conduits 43 and 44, and open constantly to the lower ends of the bores 53 and 52. Also opening to the bores 62 and 53 for communication respectively with the grooves 6| and 64 when the related pistons 51 and 58 are in their uppermost positions is a drain conduit 1| discharging to the sump 49. The upper ends of the plungers 59 and 69 are beveled to constitute reversing abutments adapted for engagement by suitable control dogs 12 and 13 mounted on the front of the carriage 2.

Assuming that fluid under pressure is available in the conduit 61 and that the plunger 69 is depressed (see Fig. 3), pressure fluid will be supplied from the conduit 61, through the cylinder bore 53, and the conduit 44 to the right end of the direction valve bore 32, and from the conduit 44 through the cross conduit 19 to the lower end of the bore 52. Thereupon, the piston 51, by reason of its differential areas, will be raised into its uppermost position to connect the left end of the bore 32 and the lower end of the bore 53 through the conduits 43 and 69, the groove 62, the passage 63, and the groove 6| to the drain conduit 1|. As a result, the plunger 69 will be retained in its lowermost position, and the direction valve piston 33 will be moved to the left to institute movement of the carriage 2 to the right. When the carriage 2 reaches its right limit position, the dog 12 will depress the plunger 59 to lower the valve piston 51, the fluid in the chamber 52 being backed up into the conduit 19 against the pressure in the connection to the source. Thereupon the conduits 43 and 69 will be connected to the pressure conduit 61 to elevate the valve piston 58, and then the conduits 44 and 19 will be connected to the drain conduit 1|. This will reverse the direction valve 3| to institute movement of the carriage 2 to the left. At the left limit position, the dog 13 will again depress the plunger 69 to establish the initially described hydraulic circuits. It

will be evident that each of the pilot valves 59' is unrestricted, and which is adapted to be closed or connected-to the drain conduit II by a rapid traverse valve 14. For teed, the exhaust fluid is adapted to be directed through one or the other of two restricted conduits 15 and I8 respectively branching from the conduits 28 and Ill. and leading to: the valves 88 and II for connection to .the drain conduit Ii when the valve pistons 58 and 88 are elevated. Thus, assuming that the carriage -2 is moving to the right (see Fig. 3) and that the conduit 46 is closed by the valve I4, the conduit 18 win be closed by the valve ll to maintain the pressure in the conduit 80, and fluid will be discharged from the cylinder 21 through the conduit 29, the conduit 18, and the groove 8i to the drain conduit Ii, thereby eflecting a slow feed. Conversely, under the same conditions but with the carriage 2 moving to the left, the conduit I8 will be closed, and fluid will be discharged from the cylinder 21 through the conduits 30 and 18 and the groove 84 to the drain conduit 1|, thereby efiecting a slow feed in the opposite direction. When the conduit 48 is open, the discharge of the fluid will be unrestricted to effect a rapid traverse.

The feed conduits I5 and 18 are restricted respectively by' two orifice valves '11 and 18 which are independently adjustable to vary the rate of feed in either direction. Therefore, since one or the other of the orifice valves 11 and 18, depending on the direction of carriage movement, is adapted to be in sole control of the rate of feed, the feed in either direction may be made faster or slower than in the other direction.

The rapid traverse valve 14 is adapted to be actuated through engagement of a dog 19 on the carriage 2 to institute rapid traverse, and to be elevated under the control of a pilot feed valve 88 to institute the feed. In the single end machine, the dog 18 is pivotal in one direction out of vertical center position to flip over the valve 14 upon movement of the carriage 2 to the left, and is arranged to depress the valve immediately after reversal of the carriage to the right. For a double end machine, two dogs I9 may be provided eifective at opposite ends of the carriage movement.

The pilot feed valve 88 is adapted to be actuated by engagement of a dog 8| on the carriage 2 to institute the feed, and to be reset into and held in operative position when the rapid traverse is instituted by depressing the' valve 14. For a double end machine, two dogs 8| respectively adapted to depress the valve 80 during the travel of the carriage 2 in opposite carriage 2 is operative to connect the pressure It comprises conduit 81 to the drain conduit II. a chamber or bore 82 opening vertically through the apron 54 with a bushing 83 seated in the upper end, and a valve piston 84 reciprocable in the bore and having a, plunger 85 extending upwardly through the bushing for external actuation. The plunger 88 is adapted for engagement by a dog 88 pivotal in one direction, for example,

to the right, out of vertical position on the front oi the carriage 2. In the singleend machine, the dog 88 is positioned to depress the plunger 88- upon movement or the carriage 2 away from the spindle head structure 4, I, 8 into a remote inoperative position. For the double end machine, the dog 88 may be positioned midway oi the dogs 12 and II, and may. be inoperative to depress the plunger 88 in one direction of carriage movement, for example, to the leit, so that the carriage cycle may comprise movement from an inoperative intermediate position into one end position, then a reverse movement past the intermediate position into the other end position, and

A specific selection and arrangement oi reversing, traverse control and stop dogs, for ,single and double end machines has been disclosed. The invention, however, is not limited to any particular carriage program, the latter being adapted for variation by the selection and arrangementof carriage dogs to suit the working requirements of the machine. If a substantial number of dogs are required, and these are closely spaced, some of the dogs may be mounted on an auxiliary support (not shown) adapted to be attached to the carriage 2.

The pressure conduit 61 is connected directly to the discharge of the pump 41, and has three parallel branches 81, 88 and 89 opening respectively to the valve bore 82 at the upper end, an intermediate point, and the lower end. The exhaust conduit II opens to the valve bore 82 in the same transverse plane as the branch conduit 88. The piston 84 when in its uppermost position blanks the conduits II and 88, and is held in position by the difierential pressure acting on its opposite ends. In this position of the piston 84, the system is at full pressure, and hence operative. The piston 84 is formed with an annular groove 90 adapted to connect the conduits 1i and 88 to relieve the pressure when the piston is in its lowermost position.

An auxiliary drain conduit 8i also opens to the bore 82 at a point between the branch conduits 88 and 89 and is adapted to be connected to the lower end of the bore through an annular groove 92 and a bleed passage 93 formed in the piston 84 when the latter is depressed. The purpose of the bleed connection is to permit the piston 84 to move way down into its lowermost position. When the plunger 85 is depressed to connect the conduits II and 88, the piston 84 will close the conduit 89 so that the pressure in the lower end of the bore 82 will be completely dissipated. Hence, the piston 84 will remain in its inoperative position.

The plunger 85 may be elevated manually to start the operation of the machine. The means for this purpose is fully disclosed in my aforesaid parent application, and comprises a hand lever 94. Reversal of the movement of the carriage 2 normally is eflected automatically by the dogs 12 and 13. The carriage movement may b reversed manually without regard to the position of the carriage 2 by actuating a hand knob 95 to reverse the valves 50 and 5|.

The brake cylinders I4 and i4 are reversely connected in parallel with each other and with the direction valve 3| across the conduits 43 and 44 under the direct control of the valves and SI.

nected in parallel with the brake cylinders I4 and I4. Hence, when the carriage 2 in the single end machine is reversed tomove toward the spindle head structure, the brake band I0 will be automaticallyreleased and the circuit through the coil It will be closed. Conversely, upon reversal of the carriage 2 to move in the opposite direction (see Fig. 3), the brake'band I0 will be applied and the-motor I will be rendered inoperative. In the double end machine, the operation is the same for the motg' I and the brake band I0 with reference to the opposite spindle head structure. Thus, the brake band III" is applied and the coil I8 is deenergized when the band I0 is released and the coil I0 is energized,

and vice versa.

The hydraulic circuits, more particularly, comprise a branched conduit 96 opening from the conduit 43 respectively to the outer end of the cylinder I4, the inner end of the cylinder I4 and one end of the cylinder 26, and a second branched conduit 91 opening from the conduit 44 respectively to the opposite ends of the cylinders I4, I4 and 26. By reason of their parallel arrangement with the direction valve 3|, the hydraulic actuators for the brakes and the motor control switches are operable without delay, without first awaiting reversal of the valve 3|, upon instituting the reversal of the carriage 2 in either direction. Moreover, they are always subject to a substantial pressure differential under all conditions of machine operation since the opposite ends of each cylinder are always connected respectively to the high pressure side of the system and the drain.

To prevent either of the brake bands I0 and I0 from being applied before the associated motor switch is opened, one-way bleed valves 98 and 98 are interposed in the conduits 91 and 96 respectively at the inlets to the inner ends of the cylinders I4 and I 4 The bleed valve 98 comprises a chamber 99 having a valve seat I00 opening to the small end of the cylinder I4. Slidable in the chamber 99 is a free floating valve member ml which has a restricted passage I02 always open to the cylinder I4, and a plurality of longitudinal flutes I03 for the free passage of fluid adapted to be closed by the seat I00. When fluid under pressure is supplied to the conduit. 91, the piston 25 will be actuated immediately to open the switch contacts I9, 2| and 20. The piston I3 will also be actuated to apply the brake band I0, but its movement will be retarded by the valve 98. Upon supplying fluid under pressure to the conduit 96, both pistons I3 and 25 will be actuated simultaneously in the opposite direction. The valve 98 preferably is the same in construction as the valve 98 and hence the corresponding parts are identified by the same reference numerals with the exponent a."

I claim as my invention:

1. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a base, a movable support and a fixed support on said base, a spindle journaled on one of said supports, means for-reciprocating said movable support through a predetermined range, a brake for said spindle, a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit for applying and releasing said brake, fluid supply passages opening respectively to opposite ends of said unit, a source of fluid under pressure, an exhaust passage, and valve means operable directly by said movable support to connect one of said supply passages to said source and the Similarly, the switch cylinder '20 is con- V,

assess:

a base. a movable support and a fixed support on said base, a spindle journaled on one of said supports, means for reciprocating said movable support through a predetermined range, a brake for said spindle, a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit for applying and releasing said brake, fluid supply passages opening respectively to opposite ends of said unit, a source of fluid under pressure, an exhaust passage. valve means operable directly by said movable support to connect one of said supply passages to said source and the other of said supply passages to said exhaust passage upon movement of said movable support into one end position, and to reverse such connections upon movement or said movable support into the other end position respectively to apply and release said brake, and valve means interposed in said one passage to restrict the flow of fluid to said unit 1 while permitting a iree discharge or fluid from said unit, whereby to retard the application of said brake while permitting a quick release of said brake.

3. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a base, a movable support and a fixed support on said base, a spindle journaled on one of said supports, a piston and cylinder unit for reciproeating said movable support through a predetermined range, a reversible direction valve for controlling the operation of said unit, a brake for said spindle, a piston and cylinder unit for applying and releasing said brake, fluid supply passages leading to opposite ends of said valve and said last mentioned unit and. connecting them in parallel, a source of fluid under pressure, an exhaust, and valve means automatically operable in response to movement of said movable support into one end position to connect one of said supply passages to said source and the other of said supply passages to said exhaust, and upon reverse movement of said movable support into the other end position to reverse such connections.

4. A machine tool comprising, in combination,

a base, a movable support and a fixed support on said base, a spindle journaled on one of said supports, a piston and cylinder unit for reciprocating said movable support through a predetermined range, a reversible direction valve for controlling the operation of said unit, an electric motor for driving said spindle, a switch for controlling the operation of said motor, a piston and cylinder unit for opening and closing said switch, fluid supply passages leading to opposite ends 01 said valve and said last mentioned unit and connecting them in parallel, a source of fluid under pressure, an exhaust, and valve means automatically operable in response to movement of said movable support into one end position to connect one of said supply passages to said source and the other of said supply passages to said exhaust, and upon reverse movement of said movable support into the other end position to reverse such connections.

5. In a machine tool, a support, a spindle journaled on said support, an electric motor for driving said spindle, a brake for stopping said spindle, a switch for controlling the operation of said motor, two hydraulic piston and cylinder actuating units respectively connected to said brake and switch, two branched supply passages leading respectively to opposite ends of each unit and connecting said units in parallel, a source of fluid under pressure, an exhaust, and valve means for connecting said source selectively to either passage and simultaneously connecting the other ing said spindle, a brake for stopping said spindle, a switch for controlling the operation'of said motor, two hydraulic piston and cylinder actuating units respectively connected to said brake and switch, two branched supply passages leading respectively to opposite ends of each unit and connecting said units in parallel, a source of fluid under pressure, an exhaust, valve means for connecting said source selectively to either passage and simultaneously connecting the other passage to said exhaust, whereby to apply said brake and open said switch or to release said brake and close said switch, and means automatically operable to delay the application of said brake until said switch is opened.

'7. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a base, a movable support and a fixed support on said base, a spindle 'ournaled on one of said supports, a piston and cylinder unit for-reciprocating said 'movable support through a predetermined range, a reversible direction valve for controlling the operation of said unit, a brake for said spindle, a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit for applying and releasing said brake, an electric motor for driving said spin- -dle, a switch for controlling the operation of said motor, a piston and cylinder unit for opening and closing said switch, fluid supply passages opening respectively to opposite ends of said valve and said two last mentioned units and connecting them in parallel, a source of fluid under pressure, an exhaust, and valve means operable selectively to connect one of said supply passages'to said source and the other of said supply passages to said exhaust, or to reverse such connections.

8. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a base, a movable support and a fixed support on said base, a spindle joumaled on one of said supports, an electric motor for driving said spindle and having a normally open control switch and a solenoid for closing said switch, a circuit including a switch for energizing said solenoid, a brake drum on the motor shaft, a brake band movable into and out of engagement with said drum, two hydraulic actuators connected respectively to said last mentioned switch 3 and said band, branch fluid conduits connecting said hydraulic actuators in paralleL'a source of fluid under pressure, an exhaust, and valve means operable by said movable support to connect said conduits alternately and reversibly to said source and said exhaust.

9. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a base, .a movable support and a fixed support on said base, a spindle journaled on one of said supports, a piston and cylinder unit for reciprocating said movable support through a predetermined range, a reversible direction valve for controlling the operation of said unit, pilot valves operable by said movable support for controlling said direction valve, means for controlling the operation of said spindle, and a piston and cylinder unit for reversibly actuating said means, said last mentioned piston and cylinder unit being operable simultaneously with said direction valve under the control of said pilot valves,

10. A machine tool, comprising, in combination, a base, a movable support and a fixed support on said base, two spindles journaled on one of said supports and having operative ends projecting in opposite directions, a hydraulic motor for reciprocating said movable support, a hydraulically operable reversible direction valve for controlling said unit, two brakes respectively for said spindles, two hydraulic piston and cylinder units respectively for applying and releasing said brakes alternately, two electric motors respectively for driving said spindles, two switch means respectively for controlling the operation of said motors, a piston and cylinder unit operable reversibly to open and close each of said switches alternately, fluid supply passages connecting said valve and said hydraulic units in parallel, a source of fluid under pressure, and valve means operable by said movable support for selectively connecting said passages alternately to said source.

11. A machine tool comprising, in combination, a base, a movable support and a fixed support on said base, a spindle journaled on one of said supports, a piston andcylinder unit for reciprocating said movable support through a predetermined range, a reversible direction valve for controlling the operation of said unit, a brake for said spindle, a piston and cylinder unit for .haust, and valve means automatically operable in response to movement of said movable support into one end position to connect one of said fluid, passages tosaid source and the-other of said fluid passages to said exhaust.

CARROLL R. ALDEN. 

